"Through the RJ Decal we have been able to provide a space outside of the typical construct of the classroom to build a small community of students at Berkeley from different disciplines, with varying interests, and from all walks of life. It has been incredible to be a part of creating an kind, loving and vulnerable space through our discussions and practice of Restorative Justice." -Salome Ragot

Topics and Guest Speakers

RJ Topics

Week 1: Introduction to Community Building Circles

Participants will experience the development of an intentional community through a community building circle. Participants will get to know each other through a series of exercises, the establishment of shared values and community agreements and sharing of stories.

Week 2: Introduction to Restorative Justice (Part Two)

Students will discuss the principles of Restorative Justice and they will gain familiarity with the process. Participants will watch a video about the process, followed up with a discussion about the video’s strengths and challenges.

Week 3: The intersections of Social Justice and Race

Circle discussion about video, and students questions about and responses to RJ practice. Who is RJ for? How is it evolving over time?

Week 4: RJ in Institutions

Circle discussion about the applications of restorative justice in institutional settings such as courts, education systems, etc. What role does restorative justice have in institutions? Does it have a role?

GUEST SPEAKER: Jonathan Bradley from SEEDS

Week 5: RJ in Communal Settings

Participants will analyze how Restorative Justice is practiced in communal settings and organizations. How does restorative justice in communal spaces intersect or depart from restorative justice at institutional levels?

GUEST SPEAKER: Yaneli (Restorative Justice Leader at Berkeley)

Week 6: RJ To Adress Harm Through Social Media

Participants will discuss how Social Media is creating harm and will use a circle process to brainstorm ideas for changing the social norms that create this harm.

Week 7: RJ as an Indigenous Practice

Participants will discuss the relationship between RJ and indigenous practices and discuss how RJ can be brought to bear on histories of colonization and the politics of memory.

Week 8: RJ around the World: New Zealand

Participants will discuss the possibilities for RJ as a replacement for criminal justice in communities and how RJ is already being used in these ways.

Week 9: RJ in the Criminal Justice System

Students will discuss how RJ can respond to problems within the Criminal Justice System.

Participants will consider the ways in which RJ has been embraced by people in prison as a way to understand the concept “hurt people hurt people.” Through circle practice, people recognize how their positionality within cycles of violence and trauma have led them to commit acts of violence, which in turn have traumatized others.

GUEST SPEAKER: Malichi Scott

Week 11:RJ and Decriminalizing Youth

Circle discussion about how the criminal justice system shows up in the school context. Participants will discuss how RJ is used in schools to interrupt the school to prison pipeline.

Interested in RJ Processes?

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Support the RJ Center’s Restorative Justice Students Leaders program. We train students in the philosophies and skills of Restorative justice and Restorative practices to build and strengthen community, and address campus climate harms and conflicts. Click here for more information.